Kenny Perry knows Jack!

Kenny Perry became one of only two to win Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Golf Tournament three times this past weekend. It is safe to say that the first two tournaments were not coincidence, and he joins Tiger Woods (who won three years in a row), in displaying three coveted trophies from this prestigious event found by Jack Nicklaus. Perry also won in 1991, and 2003.

Back in 1976, Jack’s idea of an “Augusta style” event took shape after years in the making. With but three goals in mind, began the annual event at Muirfield Village Golf Club. The first goal was to have an event that would attract the best players in the world (only 75 of the previous year’s earners are invited); next was to host in his hometown area where his love of the game learned at a young age would be well represented. Third, to use a portion of the proceeds to benefit worthy charities.

Currently, the main beneficiary of The Memorial is the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, having received millions in donations from the tournament founded by Nicklaus on the course he co-designed. This was, incidentally, the first golf course built for both player and spectator alike with its “amphitheater” viewing. What Jack developed, along with land planner Desmond Muirhead, was nothing less than a spectacular golf setting in Dublin OH, dubbed #17 on the top-100 courses in America by Golf Digest.

Kenny Perry may have not only solidified his chance to get on the Ryder Cup team by repeating what was his first win on the PGA Tour, but also has to some degree followed in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus by finding ways to give back, and promote the sport of golf.

While their approaches differed slightly Kenny Perry also built a golf course, (Country Creek), in 1995. Country Creek caters to the average, to high handicapper. Green’s fees are daily fee, in the $30 range; however, both his, and Jack Nicklaus’s intent are in lock step, i.e., giving something back to the community, and giving something back to the game of golf they both took up as young boys.

PGA Tour win number eleven must have indeed been as sweet as "number one" for Kenny Perry, but just with another ONE on the end.

Congratulations!


From Gotta-Grip

Who's the greatest?

The argument over who is (or will be) the greatest golfer ever is far from over. tiger is still playing of course, but greatness is hard to define with simple statistics. Is Barry Bonds the greatest homerun hitter of all time? If it's proven he used steroids, is the answer the same?

I'm leaning towards Tiger but probably in the "will be" camp. My view of the stats to date is based on the first twelve years of each player as a Professional. With Nicklaus, 1961 through the 1972 season and Tiger, 1996 through the 2007 season.

In those years, Jack played in 232 PGA individual events (as opposed to team events, etc), won 45 and 11 majors. Tiger played in 215 events, won 61 and 13 majors. Jack turned Professional at 21, Tiger, also at 21.

Jack's remaining PGA results (not counting the Senior Tour) was as follows...362 tournaments, 28 wins, 7 majors. Obviously, like any good athlete, Jack's percentages tailed off with age, as I expect Tiger's will. One distinct difference I see moving forward is Tiger's attention to physical fitness. Jack early in his career dealt with some weight issues, but later on stayed fairly trim although I'm not aware that he worked on his overall fitness.

My bet would be that Tiger will surpass all of Jack's records, based on the fact he is already slightly ahead of pace and maintains a physical regimen that should enable him to remain competitive longer. Lots of things can happen but irrespective of any of them, I consider myself lucky to have been around to see both of them in person and in their prime.

It’s Not too late to Rent a House in Augusta

Recently on the Internet, there has been a flurry of activity revolving around the Masters Tournament (one of the most prestigious stops on the Professional Golf Tour). I noticed there are companies on line that offer house rentals near Augusta National by the week starting April 7, 2008.

In fact, if you have an extra $4,000 to $6,000 you can stretch out a little bit more that you can at your average Holiday Inn. That may sound like a steep price, but for the convenience of being within twenty miles from Augusta National Golf Course in April, there is a price to pay.

If you, and four friends were lucky enough to all get tickets (albeit unlikely), for the tournament, $1,200 each for the week for lodging would seem like “a steal” in that town.

One house had a pool, workout area, housekeeping service, the works, all for a measly $4,300 for the week.

Don’t worry about your “significant other” sneaking off to Georgia on a lark to attend the tournament and blow five grand on a house for the week. You see, they would have had to plan this far in advance. This year is SOLD out for general admission; and don’t think you can just waltz in there for the practice rounds either; those folks probably ordered last year and were lucky enough to be picked at random for the pre-show show. They are accepting requests for 2009 now though.

So you may be relegated to watching the tournament on TV in that $5k per week abode if you head down uninvited. I do not even want to guess what tickets go for from scalpers near the event.

Therefore, I will be plunked down on my couch at my home, watching to see who gets the Green Jacket this year…The Green Jacket of Golf.

The Green Jacket of Golf will be put on the winner, with the help of Zach Johnson (The 2007 Winner), on April 13, 2008, barring a rain delay or other event that impedes the tournament.

Speaking of the Green Jacket, I wondered about that, why green. I did some research online, and read the players first wore the jacket…not AFTER the event, but DURING, so that reporters and fans could distinguish the players from the other (distinguished-looking) gallery.

There will no doubt be a battle this year by the strong field nearing 100 as I write this. Who doesn’t want to win this one?

It will have extra historic significance if Tiger Woods) wins because he is winding his way towards beating Jack Nicklaus (73 wins), and then on to becoming the all-time winning golfer once he reaches the magic number of 83 wins, which will be one better than Sam Snead achieved.

Historically, Augusta has presented many different golfers with a chance to compete, as it changes with wind, rain and the other curves that spring days in Eastern Central Georgia.

Just like a good horse race, the weather may play a role in who’s wearing green this year.

So if you are one of the lucky ones to have waited your turn to get tickets (and I mean waited), and get one of those creampuff rental homes as your bunkhouse, think of the rest of us while you are there.